Personal injuries can profoundly and permanently impact an individual's life, with “unexpected financial responsibilities [having] the potential to throw a lengthy shadow, affecting one's life both emotionally and financially,” according to Disability Help. While medical expenses are often the most visible and immediate costs associated with such injuries, numerous hidden costs can significantly affect a person's financial, emotional, and social well-being.

Repetitive stress and overexertion injuries are two types of injuries that plague many workers and places of employment. Each of these injuries is likely eligible for worker’s compensation, but their gradual symptoms often can be hard to recognize until they’re extremely severe, causing a change in the ability to perform certain activities. Therefore, it is important for employees to recognize possible symptoms early and report them before they have the chance to get worse.